Compare Train Ticket Costs: Map shows point-to-point, one-way, 2nd-class fares in $US by rail (solid line) and bus (dashed line). Add up fares for your itinerary to see whether a rail pass will save you money. For 1st class rail fares, add 50%. Based on Off Peak rates, £1 = $1.60. Source: nationalrail.co.uk.
Best Value: Since Britain is not included on the Eurail Global or Select pass, and pay-as-you-go train fares are the highest in Europe, BritRail passes can be very useful. Traditional BritRail passes cover the whole island (England, Scotland, and Wales) and pay for themselves quickly if you travel from London to Scotland. Regional rail passes cover just England, Scotland, or southeast England. The big rail pass for Britain and Ireland is probably overpriced. On the charts below, read beyond the BritRail brand name to choose the coverage you want and discounts for which you qualify. For those on a budget, standard (second) class is fine and first class is not worth the extra 50%. Many regional trains have only standard-class cars. On some long-distance trains, first class includes a meal served at your seat. Seniors get rail pass discounts in first class, but can also choose the cheaper adult standard rate. If you're making just a couple of trips and can commit to dates and times in advance, look into Britain's advance purchase discounts on point-to-point train tickets (below).
Reservations: Seat reservations are free at train stations in Britain, and recommended for weekends, but not required for rail passes or full-fare tickets on daytime trains. On overnight trains, a bunk in a twin sleeper costs about $75. Overnight journeys begun on your BritRail pass's final night can be completed the day after the pass expires — only BritRail allows this trick. See more details about train schedules and train reservations.
Private Trains: Eurostar Passholder Fares (discounted train tickets between London and Paris, Calais, Lille, or Brussels) are available for travel at any time during the validated travel period of most BritRail passes, but not Scotland rail passes. BritRail passes cover service by Britain's 20+ railway operators, but not a few "heritage" narrow-guage lines such as North York Moors, Wales' Ffestiniog, and Isle of Man Railways.
London Airport Shuttle Trains: Heathrow, Gatwick, and Stansted Express trains are covered by regular BritRail, BritRail England, and BritRail Plus Ireland passes (starts use of a counted travel day on your rail pass). The London Plus pass includes two separate vouchers to cover airport trains (details below). If you don't use your pass for that trip, you can buy London airport express tickets at the station for about $30 one-way or $52 roundtrip (half price for kids 5 - 15), or take the Tube.
Free Kids: For each adult or senior BritRail pass you buy at regular rates, one child (5–15) travels with you free (specify which child with which adult when you order). This "Family Pass" deal is available with BritRail Consecutive or Flexipass or England Consecutive or Flexipass but not with BritRail Plus Ireland, Scotland, nor London Plus Passes. Additional kids pay half the normal adult rate. Kids under 5 free.
Low Season Discount: BritRail and BritRail England passes are 20% off regular adult prices for travel November - February. These are for sale September - mid-February. You must order through the Low Season section below.
Party Pass Group Discount: From three to nine adults (and youths) can travel together on a BritRail Party Pass. Two travelers pay the full adult rate for regular Britrail and Britrail England passes, and the third to ninth passengers each pay 50% of the regular adult price, plus up to two free kids can bring the total group to eleven. Mark "yes" for all traveling together to apply this rate.
Youths with Eurail Pass: Youths under age 26 who have any Eurail pass (Global, Select, Regional, Ireland, etc.) can save about 37% versus regular youth prices on BritRail Consecutive or Flexipasses, or England Consecutive or Flexipasses. Show the Eurail pass when validating the discounted BritRail pass in Europe. No discount with France, Swiss, German, European East, Balkan, nor other BritRail Passes). Mark "yes" for traveling with a Eurail Pass to apply this rate (works with 2nd-class youth BritRail rates; any class of service OK for Eurail pass).
| BritRail Pass Buy This Pass | |||||
| Consecutive Pass | Adult 1st Class | Adult Standard | Senior 1st Class | Youth 1st Class | Youth Standard |
| 3 consec. days | $299 | $199 | $255 | $239 | $159 |
| 4 consec. days | $375 | $249 | $319 | $299 | $199 |
| 8 consec. days | $535 | $355 | $455 | $429 | $285 |
| 15 consec. days | $799 | $535 | $679 | $639 | $429 |
| 22 consec. days | $1015 | $675 | $865 | $809 | $539 |
| 1 month consecutive | $1199 | $799 | $1019 | $959 | $639 |
| Flexipass | Adult 1st Class | Adult Standard | Senior 1st Class | Youth 1st Class | Youth Standard |
| 3 days in 2 months | $375 | $249 | $319 | $299 | $199 |
| 4 days in 2 months | $465 | $315 | $395 | $375 | $249 |
| 8 days in 2 months | $679 | $455 | $579 | $545 | $365 |
| 15 days in 2 months | $1025 | $689 | $869 | $819 | $549 |
BritRail Consecutive and Flexipasses cover trains in England, Scotland, and Wales (no Ireland).Youth passes are for travelers under age 26. Senior passes are for travelers age 60 and up. Prices subject to change. One child 5–15 free with each adult or senior rail pass when you order here. Enter one adult and one child into the shopping cart, mark "yes" for all traveling together, then follow "continue shopping" if you have another pair to add to the same order. Also mark "yes" for all traveling together to apply the Party Pass discount when you have three or more travelers over age 15. Mark "yes" for traveling with a Eurail Pass to apply the Youth Passholder discount (works with 2nd-class youth BritRail rates). For Low Season discounts, you must use separate ordering links further down this page. |
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| BritRail England Pass Buy This Pass | |||||
| Consecutive Pass | Adult 1st Class | Adult Standard | Senior 1st Class | Youth 1st Class | Youth Standard |
| 3 consec. days | $239 | $159 | $205 | $195 | $129 |
| 4 consec. days | $299 | $199 | $255 | $239 | $159 |
| 8 consec. days | $425 | $285 | $365 | $339 | $229 |
| 15 consec. days | $639 | $425 | $545 | $509 | $339 |
| 22 consec. days | $809 | $539 | $689 | $649 | $435 |
| 1 month consecutive | $959 | $639 | $815 | $769 | $509 |
| Flexipass | Adult 1st Class | Adult Standard | Senior 1st Class | Youth 1st Class | Youth Standard |
| 3 days in 2 months | $299 | $199 | $255 | $239 | $159 |
| 4 days in 2 months | $375 | $249 | $319 | $299 | $199 |
| 8 days in 2 months | $545 | $365 | $465 | $435 | $289 |
| 15 days in 2 months | $819 | $549 | $699 | $655 | $439 |
BritRail England Consecutive and Flexipasses cover trains in England only, no Scotland, Ireland, or Wales. Youth passes are for travelers under age 26. Senior passes are for travelers age 60 and up. Prices subject to change. One child 5–15 free with each adult or senior rail pass when you order here. Enter one adult and one child into the shopping cart, mark "yes" for all traveling together, then follow "continue shopping" if you have another pair to add to the same order. Also mark "yes" for all traveling together to apply the Party Pass discount when you have three or more travelers over age 15. Mark "yes" for traveling with a Eurail Pass to apply the Youth Passholder discount (works with 2nd-class youth BritRail England rates). For Low Season discounts, you must use separate ordering links further down this page. |
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| BritRail Freedom of Scotland Pass Buy This Pass | |
| Type of Pass | Standard Class |
| 4 days (out of 8) | $225 |
| 8 days (out of 15) | $299 |
| For Scotland only, standard class only. Not valid on trains that depart before 9:15 a.m., Monday - Friday. Covers Caledonian MacBrayne and Strathclyde ferry service to popular islands. Discounts on some P&O ferries, some Citylink buses & more. Kids 5–15 half fare; under 5 free. Prices subject to change. | |
| BritRail Central Scotland Pass Buy This Pass | |
| Type of Pass | Standard Class |
| 3 days out of 7 | $65 |
| These are prevalidated at the time of purchase for a specific, 7-day travel window and cannot be refunded after that planned travel date! Covers frequent service between Edinburgh and Glasgow's Queen St Station (not Glasgow Central), some nearby side-trips (see Central Scotland Coverage Map, below), and the Glasgow Underground (on your three travel days). Standard class only. No highlands or islands. Not valid on trains that depart before 9:15 a.m. Monday - Friday, Glasgow Airport Coach Links, excursion trains, nor private railways. The 7 p.m. rule for night trains does not apply. Kids 5–15 half fare; under 5 free. Prices subject to change. | |
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| BritRail London Plus Pass Buy This Pass | ||
| Type of Pass | Adult 1st Class | Adult Standard |
| 2 out of 8 days | $209 | $139 |
| 4 out of 8 days | $289 | $219 |
| 7 out of 15 days | $365 | $265 |
| Covers trains in much of SE England (see London Plus Coverage Map, above). Includes vouchers to cover two trips on the Heathrow, Stansted, or Gatwick Express trains, separate from your counted travel days, which can be used up to 6 months from the date you validate the rail pass in Britain (but not before pass is validated for the 8- or 15-day travel window). Many trains are standard class only. The 7 p.m. rule for night trains does not apply. Kids 5–15 half price; under 5 free. Prices subject to change. | ||
London Plus Pass includes two separate vouchers to use on trains between London and one of three major airports, with a higher price to cover those. You may not need these vouchers if you're flying only one-way to/from London, using Luton airport, traveling between the airport and a different city, or taking the tube between London and Heathrow (not covered by rail passes).
| BritRail Pass + Ireland Buy This Pass | ||
| Type of Pass | 1st Class | Standard Class |
| 5 days out of 1 month | $725 | $489 |
| 10 days out of 1 month | $1299 | $875 |
| Covers trains in the entire British Isles (England, Wales, Scotland, Northern Ireland, and the Republic of Ireland). Does not cover ferries or buses. Kids 5-15 pay half fare; under 5 free. No Family Pass, Party Pass, Eurail Discount, nor Off-Peak Special. Prices subject to change. Before buying the 10-day rail pass, consider the cost of separate BritRail and Ireland rail passes. | ||
| Tube and Bus Passes to Buy in London | ||||
| Adult prices | Zones 1-2 Off Peak | Zones 1-2 All Day | Zones 1-6 Off Peak | Zones 1-6 All Day |
| 1 consecutive days | £6.60 | £8 | £8 | £15 |
| 7 consecutive days | NA | £27.60 | NA | £50.40 |
| Passes cover Tube and bus in London and are easy to buy at most Tube stations. For info visit www.tfl.gov.uk or call 011-44-20-7222-1234. £1.00 = about $1.60. | ||||
Rail passes don't cover local Tube and bus travel. Since the cash ticket price for a single Tube ride is now £4.30 per journey, any style of Tube pass is likely to save some money in London. "Off-Peak" cards are valid after 9:30 a.m. Monday – Friday, and any time on weekends and holidays. Most sights and many hotels are in Zones 1–2. Zone 1 covers downtown (everything within and slightly beyond the Circle line). Zone 2 extends to many outlying neighborhoods. Heathrow Airport is in Zone 6. More zone combinations and monthly passes are also available. 1- and 7-day cards are old-style paper cards. Oyster cards are rechargeable, never expire, and work by just touching the card to a card reader as you go in and out of stations or buses. You pre-pay cash (e.g., £10) that is debited at the best available rate (cheaper than real cash and never more than a daily pass) instead of a set weekly or monthly pass period. Kids under 11 free on Tube with an adult; under 16 free on bus and tram.
British point-to-point train tickets come in three main categories: Advance, Off-Peak, and Anytime. Generally, the earlier you book through a British agent, the better deal you'll get. Advance discount tickets get snapped up fast in summer, can be booked from one day to eight weeks ahead, have limited seat availability, are non-refundable, and have exchange restrictions. Off-Peak rates apply after 9:30 a.m. and roundtrip ticket prices may be the same as one-way in this category. Both Off-Peak and Anytime fares can be purchased up until the departure of the train. For a London–Edinburgh one-way, the Anytime (full) fare is £146 ($235); the Off-Peak fare is £114 ($180); and Advance fares range from £47 to £37 ($75 or $60), with the lowest rate selling out first. You can find more train ticket prices and buy online at www.nationalrail.co.uk or call to Britain at 011-44-8457-484-950 for 24-hour information (they'll give you another number to purchase tickets). For credit card approval online, it may help to enter a British hotel address or postal code (not for delivery). Pick up reserved tickets at a train station.
For £28 ($45), the Railcard for Youths ages 16–25, full-time students 26+ with ISIC, or for Seniors age 60+, get you a third off most point-to-point train tickets for a year. The Family Railcard for£28 ($45) allows adults to travel 33% cheaper while their kids age 5–15 get 60% off for most train trips. Not valid on the Heathrow Express, Eurostar, or some busy weekday morning commuter trains. See www.railcard.co.uk.
BritRail
or Britbus...| Brit Xplorer Bus Pass | |
| 7 consecutive days | £79 ($125) |
| 14 consecutive days | £139 ($225) |
| 28 consecutive days | £219 ($350) |
| Allows unlimited bus travel in England, Scotland and Wales on the extensive National Express bus service. Buy the bus passes in Great Britain. Youth passes (£10) save 30% for those under 26 who pay as they go. Seniors (60+) save up to 50% without a card on regular coach fares. Visit www.nationalexpress.com. | |
While many small towns and rural areas of Britain are not served by trains, travelers can go anywhere just about any time by coach. ("Coach" is British for any long distance bus. "Bus" means city bus.) Coach travel is the cheap way to explore Britain. While some argue you get a closer look at Britain through a bus rather than a train window, I'd bus Britain only to save money and to fill gaps in the train system.
There are a couple of super cheap hop-on-and-hop-off bus circuits that take mostly hostelers around the country. For instance, Backpacker Tours offers one- to 15-day tours of England, Scotland, or Wales (from £65/1day, £90/3 days, £139/5 days, tel. 0870-745-1046, www.backpackertours.co.uk).
| Comparing Train and Coach Travel in Britain | |||
| From London to: | miles | by Train | by Coach |
| Bath | 107 | 30 per day/1.5 hr/$45 | 20 per day/3-4 hr/$40 |
| Cambridge | 56 | every 30 minutes /1 hr/$30 | 34 per day/2-3 hr/$20 |
| Cardiff, Wales | 145 | 30 per day/2 hr/$70 | 10 per day/3.25 hr/$50 |
| Edinburgh | 390 | 22 per day/4 h /$180 | 4 per day/9 hr/$85 |
| Oxford | 60 | 35 per day/1 hr/$35 | every 15 - 20 minutes /1.75 hr/$25 |
| Stratford | 110 | 11 per day/2.5 hr/$70 | 5 per day/3hr/$35 |
| York | 188 | 30 per day/2 hr/$140 | 13 per day/5-6 hr/$60 |
